Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA issues Rain Alert) has warned about the rain, which will accompany thunderstorms and gusty winds across most parts of the province. The authority said that the weather disturbance will start on Thursday and last till Tuesday to call for precautionary measures to reduce potential damage and risks to life.
The PDMA has instructed all Deputy Commissioners of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to undertake all requisite precautions to save lives and property. This is the after-effect of the preventive measures that are being taken against torrential rains due to flash flooding and landslides which are often precipitated by heavy rainfall in hill torrents across the province.
The control room of the PDMA has been totally activated and will not hesitate to take emergency measures if needed during this time. The citizens are specifically called to report any dangerous situations or seek help over the emergency number, 1700. Especially local residents living in flood-prone and low-lying areas have been called to remain vigilant and will be strictly following the instructions of local authorities to avoid any danger.
The PDMA has reported that clearing of water drainage systems, strengthening of embankments and maintaining stock of emergency items shall be undertaken as a pre-emptive measure. The district administration in coordination, is making sure that all vulnerable population along with those close to riverbanks be informed about evacuation routes and sheltering options
After a long spell of hot and humid weather, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecasted rain to hit different parts of the country during the next 24 hours. PMD has issued weather warnings with rain coupled with thunderstorms in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Potohar Region, Islamabad, Northeast Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir. Heavy rains and hail may lash isolated areas of Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad, and Kashmir.
This change in the weather is because of moist currents from the Bay of Bengal, which are going to penetrate the northern parts of Pakistan beginning Wednesday night. The upper parts will experience a westerly wave which may hit the country from September 26.
Such an accumulation of different weather systems may likely cause significant rainfall in areas that experienced prolonged dry and hot conditions. Such rain might provide a much-needed respite to residents facing prolonged heat, but it also presents the risk of flooding in certain areas where the drainage system is not up to par.
Hot weather with humidity prevailed in most parts of Pakistan during the last 24 hours, while the mercury remained significantly high in some places. In Nokkundi, the highest temperature was recorded at 43ยฐC; others were Dadu, Dalbandin and Shaheed Benazirabad, Mohenjo Daro and Rohri with a maximum of 42ยฐC.
The PMD has asked the people in these districts to be very vigilant during the whole period of the forecast. Apart from expected rains, gusty winds may root up trees and electricity lines to fall off or collapse, which increases the dangers of accidents and service interruptions even more.
In this light, communities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the rest of the affected areas should be informed of recent official declarations from PDMA and other local officers. Citizens living in hazardous flood zones or those prone to landslides should take precautions to ensure that they will have access to the most basic necessities, such as safe water, food, and medical supplies in case they are momentarily isolated from aid.
More so, travelers should be cautious in the period since rain may trigger landslips on the hill ranges that may end up blocking roads. Customers willing to travel on the said days should follow the weather update and reschedule their trips during the period if the situation worsens.
However, it is individual preparation that will greatly reduce the severity of such ‘bad weather’. Authorities are working hard to avoid the heinous condition of such bad weather; they shall refrain from traversing through flooded roads. They will not park vehicles near trees and unstable buildings and prepare for contingencies in the event of an emergency.
Notably, as advisories have been issued both by the PDMA and the PMD, the public should take these advisories seriously. With such awareness and preparedness, communities at large in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other parts of Pakistan can be readily equipped to come to terms with problems caused by the approaching rains and thunderstorms as well as reduce any chances of casualties or damage to property.
The emergency helpline 1700 will be open for those in need and PDMA will continue real-time updates throughout the forecast period.
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